Nano drones to treat heart diseases

Microscopic stealth drones could be used to repair artery damage and in the treatment of several heart diseases and strokes, say researchers. Scientists have conducted successful tests on mice and found that nanoparticles that are 1,000 times smaller than the thickness of human hair can be deployed in the human body to cure several diseases.

Once deployed, the nanoparticles latch on walls of arteries made from extra fat, cholesterol and calcium also known as atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques can damage arteries and clog blood vessels. After reaching the target, the drone releases protein derived drug that repairs inflammation damage in the body.

After conducting several tests, researchers found that inflammation damage in mice was significantly repaired within five weeks of treatment and plaques were stabilised thus, preventing further deterioration of arteries and blood clotting.

“This is the first example of a targeted nanoparticle technology that reduces atherosclerosis in an animal model. Years of research and collaboration have culminated in our ability to use nanotechnology to resolve inflammation, remodel and stabilise plaques in a model of advanced atherosclerosis,” said Dr Omid Farokhzad, director of the Laboratory of Nanomedicine and Biomaterials at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, U.S.. “The inflammation resolving targeted nanoparticles have shown exciting potential not only for the potential treatment of atherosclerosis as described here, but also other therapeutic areas including wound repair, for example.”

However, this is just a start of a new era in medical science. We have seen several successful tests on mice that severely failed in humans. The biggest challenge for the scientists is to implement the technique successfully in humans. If approved, the technique will be a revelation and will open the gates for the future nanomedicine. In a world where heart diseases are most common, nano drones can be a boon, and it can also be used in other medical treatments. Moreover, nanotechnology is still under development but has a promising future.